title: Surgical intervention of pilonidal sinus: impact on patients' postoperative satisfaction and return to work time.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pilonidal sinus (PS) is a chronic inflammatory process accompanied by psychological strain and a high rate of work incapacity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the impact of PS surgery on individual patients' satisfaction (SAT) and economic impacts on work capability.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed 40 PS patients regarding SAT and return to work time (RTW) in relation to various factors, using multivariate analysis and Pearson's correlation test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a significant negative correlation between SAT and RTW (p<0.01), both correlated equally strongly with duration between first diagnosis and surgery (p<0.01) and with loss of weight (p<0.05). RTW correlated with duration of painkiller intake (p<0.01). SAT correlated with gender (p<0.01), smoking cessation (p<0.05) and quantity of painkiller intake (p<0.01). Satisfaction correlated with gender (p<0.01), smoking cessation (p<0.05), and quantity of painkiller intake (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RTW after PS surgery is influenced by factors that can be influenced prior to surgery, leading to better economic results for patients and employers as well as society.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Vossstr. 2, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria Rita
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gaiser
authors.forename: Sophia Boyoung
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Enk
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schrott
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weisser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010864:Pilonidal Sinus / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062707:Return to Work / Q000191:economics; D012737:Sex Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013997:Time Factors; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics